Book sales to benefit Autism Speaks

Employees of Keil Bros. Garden Center & Nursery have compiled a “collection of local recipes from . . . families and friends” to benefit Autism Speaks, an international advocacy organization.

Their involvement stemmed from the company’s desire to honor the autistic great-grandson, Alex Keil, 17, of their founder, Henry Keil.

Keil Bros. Friends and Family Cookbook was published in April for Autism Awareness Month. Organized by Lynne Buckley and Kathie Kosky, two longtime employees, the book is a “collection of local recipes from our families and friends of ours,” said Russ Bodenhorn, general manager. “It is a collection of things homemade.”

Kosky describes that process of gathering the recipes as a simple matter of the culinary community.

“We have a lot of good cooks, people who like to cook, so we had them send in their recipes,” she explained. “Most recipes are probably cakes and other treats… as you can see, most of us have a bit of a sweet tooth.”

The $10 cookbook is filled with unique dishes ranging from apple brownies and Polish pound cake (the local favorite) to specialty chicken and chickpea entrees.

It is also filled with historical photos documenting the growth of the Keil family and their garden center.

All proceeds from the sale of the cookbook will be donated.

The cookbook is sold at all times at Keil Bros., located at 210-11 48th Avenue in Bayside. To find out more, call 718-224-2020.